18 April 2011

Presnell calls for Easter Doncaster restoration

Following the disappointing crowds at Randwick during the second year of a revamped AJC/ATC Sydney carnival, Max Presnell in The Sydney Morning Herald adds his voice to chorus calling for the restoration of the Doncaster Handicap back to its traditional date on Easter Saturday:
"... Historically, Easter Saturday has been a prime racing day, like the first Tuesday in November at Flemington. Alas, like Sydney racing in general, it has been downgraded. Despite the Sydney Cup, All Aged Stakes and Champagne Stakes, the coming fare at headquarters this week lacks the same impact as the traditional first day of the Easter carnival at headquarters. Under the circumstances, the Australian Turf Club did well to get a reported 18,435 last Saturday following the 25,368 on the previous glorious Black Caviar occasion. One of the strengths of the Melbourne spring, arguably the world's best racing carnival, is that it has only finetuned the major traditional dates."
Meanwhile, the Grand Plan for Randwick could mean closing the track for 2012, leaving Onkaparinga's famous Easter meeting still lonely.

No comments: